U.S. patent application number 15/393759 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-03 for repositionable stand for portable electronic device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Distil Union, LLC. Invention is credited to Nate B. Justiss, Lindsay K. Windham.
Application Number | 20170223862 15/393759 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59385827 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170223862 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Justiss; Nate B. ; et
al. |
August 3, 2017 |
REPOSITIONABLE STAND FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Abstract
A repositionable stand for a portable electronic device includes
at least one manually bendable layer material (e.g., sheet steel)
forming bendable regions extending between multiple rigid body
elements, and further includes a support platform proximate to one
end. The bendable regions permit the stand to be arranged in a
variety of positions. The support platform, which may be bendable,
is suitable for securely receiving portable electronic devices of
various thicknesses, and may include a forked end including
peripheral regions separated by a medial gap to permit a portable
electronic device receive a charging cable.
Inventors: |
Justiss; Nate B.;
(Charleston, SC) ; Windham; Lindsay K.;
(Charleston, SC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Distil Union, LLC |
Charleston |
SC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59385827 |
Appl. No.: |
15/393759 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62290868 |
Feb 3, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 23/043 20130101;
F16M 11/10 20130101; F16M 13/00 20130101; F16M 13/022 20130101;
F16M 11/38 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H05K 7/18 20060101
H05K007/18; F16M 11/38 20060101 F16M011/38; F16M 11/20 20060101
F16M011/20; A47B 97/00 20060101 A47B097/00; A47B 23/04 20060101
A47B023/04 |
Claims
1. A repositionable stand for a portable electronic device, the
repositionable stand comprising: a first end and a second end; a
plurality of rigid body elements including first, second, and third
rigid body elements that are spatially separated from one another
and that are sequentially arranged between the first end and the
second end; at least one manually bendable layer material; and a
support platform region proximate to the first end; wherein the at
least one manually bendable layer material spans between the
plurality of rigid body elements to form (i) a first bendable
region between the first rigid body element and the second rigid
body element, and (ii) a second bendable region between the second
rigid body element and the third rigid body element.
2. The repositionable stand of claim 1, wherein the support
platform region comprises a bendable support platform region, and
wherein a portion of the at least one manually bendable layer
material extends beyond the first rigid body element to form the
bendable support platform.
3. The repositionable stand of claim 2, wherein the at least one
manually bendable layer material comprises at least one first sheet
metal layer segment forming the first bendable region, at least one
second sheet metal segment forming the second bendable region, and
at least one third sheet metal segment forming the bendable support
platform region.
4. The repositionable stand of claim 1, wherein the at least one
manually bendable layer material comprises a single continuous
sheet metal layer extending substantially an entire distance
between the first end and the second end.
5. The repositionable stand of claim 1, wherein the at least one
manually bendable layer material comprises sheet steel of a first
thickness, the plurality of rigid body elements comprises sheet
steel of a second thickness, and the second thickness is greater
than the first thickness.
6. The repositionable stand of claim 5, wherein the at least one
manually bendable layer material is affixed to the plurality of
rigid body elements by adhering, brazing, or welding.
7. The repositionable stand of claim 1, further comprising a first
covering material and a second covering material, wherein a
combination of the at least one manually bendable layer material
and the plurality of rigid body elements is arranged between the
first covering material and the second covering material.
8. The repositionable stand of claim 7, wherein the first covering
material and the second covering material are each independently
selected from the group consisting of leather, rubber, woven
fabric, and non-woven fabric.
9. The repositionable stand of claim 7, wherein: the first rigid
body element and the second rigid body element are separated by a
first gap; the second rigid body element and the third rigid body
element are separated by a second gap; and padding material is
provided within the first gap between the first covering material
and the second covering material, and is provided within the second
gap between the first covering material and the second covering
material.
10. The repositionable stand of claim 9, wherein the padding
material comprises a thickness that is substantially the same as a
thickness of the plurality of rigid body elements.
11. The repositionable stand of claim 1, wherein the support
platform region comprises a first peripheral region and a second
peripheral region separated by a medial gap proximate to the first
end.
12. The repositionable stand of claim 1, wherein the second rigid
body element defines an aperture, and the at least one manually
bendable layer material defines an aperture that is registered with
the aperture defined by the second rigid body element.
13. A repositionable stand for a portable electronic device, the
repositionable stand comprising: a first end and a second end; a
plurality of rigid body elements including first, second, and third
rigid body elements that are spatially separated from one another
and that are sequentially arranged between the first end and the
second end; and a manually bendable sheet metal layer affixed to
the plurality of rigid body elements and extending substantially an
entire distance between the first end and the second end; wherein a
first portion of the manually bendable sheet metal layer forms a
first bendable region between the first rigid body element and the
second rigid body element, a second portion of the manually
bendable sheet metal layer forms a second bendable region between
the second rigid body element and the third rigid body element, and
a third portion of the manually bendable sheet metal layer extends
beyond the first rigid body element to form a bendable support
platform region proximate to the first end.
14. The repositionable stand of claim 13, wherein the manually
bendable sheet metal layer comprises sheet steel of a first
thickness, the plurality of rigid body elements comprises sheet
steel of a second thickness, and the second thickness is greater
than the first thickness.
15. The repositionable stand of claim 13, wherein the manually
bendable sheet metal layer is affixed to the plurality of rigid
body elements by adhering, brazing, or welding.
16. The repositionable stand of claim 13, further comprising a
first covering material and a second covering material, wherein a
combination of the manually bendable sheet metal layer and the
plurality of rigid body elements is arranged between the first
covering material and the second covering material.
17. The repositionable stand of claim 16, wherein the first
covering material and the second covering material are each
independently selected from the group consisting of leather,
rubber, woven fabric, and non-woven fabric.
18. The repositionable stand of claim 16, wherein: the first rigid
body element and the second rigid body element are separated by a
first gap; the second rigid body element and the third rigid body
element are separated by a second gap; and padding material is
provided within the first gap between the first covering material
and the second covering material, and is provided within the second
gap between the first covering material and the second covering
material.
19. The repositionable stand of claim 18, wherein the padding
material comprises a thickness that is substantially the same as a
thickness of the plurality of rigid body elements.
20. The repositionable stand of claim 13, wherein the bendable
support platform region comprises a first peripheral region and a
second peripheral region separated by a medial gap proximate to the
first end.
21. The repositionable stand of claim 13, wherein the second rigid
body element defines an aperture, and the manually bendable sheet
metal layer defines an aperture that is registered with the
aperture defined by the second rigid body element.
Description
STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent
application Ser. No. 62/290,868, filed Feb. 3, 2016, the disclosure
of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to apparatuses for holding
portable electronic devices such as mobile telephones and handheld
portable digital media terminals.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablet
computers, and portable digital media terminals have been widely
adopted and are used by hundreds of millions of consumers on a
daily basis. Numerous varieties of such devices have been
developed, with various devices providing functions such as audio
and video communication, audio and video playback, Web browsing,
gaming, and social media interaction.
[0004] Portable electronic devices of numerous sizes, shapes, and
thicknesses are available. Numerous protective cases have been
developed for portable electronic devices to protect such devices
from shock, scratches, dirt, and the like.
[0005] When not in active use, portable electronic devices are
frequently carried by users in pockets, purses, and belt clips.
When a user is stationary for a period of time (such as working at
a desk), it may be desirable to position a portable electronic
device in an upright position to permit the user to process video
communication or engage in multimedia or gaming activities without
continuously holding the device. It may also be desirable to
simultaneously permit a portable electronic device to be connected
to a charging cable.
[0006] Conventional stands for holding portable electronic devices
suffer from limitations that affect their utility. For example,
various rigid stands for holding portable electronic devices have
been developed, such as the Elago M2 stand (available from Elago
USA, San Diego, Calif.) fabricated of a single piece of rigid
aluminum. However, such stands are not repositionable to
accommodate different positions that may be desired by users at
different times or in different contexts. Certain repositionable
stands incorporating rotatable hinges have been developed, such as
the aluminum-bodied Satechi R1 multi-angle hinge holder stand, but
the ability of such stands to maintain desired positions may vary
widely depending on factors such as hinge manufacturing variation,
presence of moisture or dirt on hinge surfaces, and/or hinge wear.
Numerous additional stands incorporating gooseneck-type
continuously flexible arms have been developed, but such stands may
be insufficiently compact or considered unsightly for some users.
Additionally, conventional stands for holding portable electronic
devices may be susceptible to receiving smudges or handprints, and
may suffer from an undesirable (e.g., cold and hard) tactile feel
when handled by users.
[0007] Accordingly, need exists in the art for improved stands for
portable electronic devices to address limitations of conventional
stands.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present disclosure relates to a repositionable stand for
a portable electronic device including at least one manually
bendable layer material (e.g., sheet metal such as sheet steel)
forming bendable regions extending between multiple rigid body
elements, with the stand further including a support platform
proximate to one end. The bendable regions permit the stand to be
arranged in a variety of positions. The bendable support platform
is suitable for securely receiving portable electronic devices of
various thicknesses, and preferably includes a forked end including
peripheral regions separated by a medial gap to permit a portable
electronic device to be connected to a charging cable while
supported by the stand. In certain embodiments, the support
platform region is a bendable support platform, wherein a portion
of the at least one manually bendable layer material extends beyond
the first rigid body element to form the bendable support platform.
In certain embodiments, surfaces of the repositionable stand may be
covered with covering materials, such as leather, rubber, woven
fabric, or non-woven fabric.
[0009] In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a
repositionable stand for a portable electronic device, the
repositionable stand including a first end, a second end, a
plurality of rigid body elements, at least one manually bendable
layer material, and a support platform proximate to the first end.
The plurality of rigid body elements includes first, second, and
third rigid body elements that are spatially separated from one
another and that are sequentially arranged between the first end
and the second end. The at least one manually bendable layer
material spans between the plurality of rigid body elements to form
(i) a first bendable region between the first rigid body element
and the second rigid body element, and (ii) a second bendable
region between the second rigid body element and the third rigid
body element.
[0010] In certain embodiments, the support platform region
comprises a bendable support platform region, and a portion of the
at least one manually bendable layer material extends beyond the
first rigid body element to form the bendable support platform. In
certain embodiments, the at least one manually bendable layer
material includes at least one first sheet metal layer segment
forming the first bendable region, at least one second sheet metal
segment forming the second bendable region, and at least one third
sheet metal segment forming the bendable support platform region.
In certain embodiments, the at least one manually bendable layer
material includes a single continuous sheet metal layer extending
substantially an entire distance between the first end and the
second end. In certain embodiments, the at least one manually
bendable layer material includes sheet steel of a first thickness,
the plurality of rigid body elements includes sheet steel of a
second thickness, and the second thickness is greater than the
first thickness. In certain embodiments, the at least one manually
bendable layer material is affixed to the plurality of rigid body
elements by adhering, brazing, or welding. In certain embodiments,
a repositionable stand as described above includes a first covering
material and a second covering material, wherein a combination of
the at least one manually bendable layer material and the plurality
of rigid body elements is arranged between the first covering
material and the second covering material. In certain embodiments,
the first covering material and the second covering material are
each independently selected from the group consisting of leather,
rubber, woven fabric, and non-woven fabric. In certain embodiments,
the first rigid body element and the second rigid body element are
separated by a first gap; the second rigid body element and the
third rigid body element are separated by a second gap; and padding
material (e.g., foam) is provided within the first gap between the
first covering material and the second covering material, and is
provided within the second gap between the first covering material
and the second covering material. In certain embodiments, the
padding material includes a thickness that is substantially the
same as a thickness of the plurality of rigid body elements. In
certain embodiments, the bendable support platform region includes
a first peripheral region and a second peripheral region separated
by a medial gap proximate to the first end. In certain embodiments,
the second rigid body element defines an aperture, and the at least
one manually bendable layer material defines an aperture that is
registered with the aperture defined by the second rigid body
element. Corresponding apertures registered with the foregoing
apertures may also be defined in the covering material layers, with
the resulting aperture defined through the entire stand being sized
and shaped to permit passage of at least one charging and/or
communication cable to be connected to a portable electronic device
supported by the stand.
[0011] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a
repositionable stand for a portable electronic device, the
repositionable stand including a first end, a second end, a
plurality of rigid body elements, and a manually bendable sheet
metal layer. The plurality of rigid body elements includes first,
second, and third rigid body elements that are spatially separated
from one another and that are sequentially arranged between the
first end and the second end. The manually bendable sheet metal
layer is affixed to the plurality of rigid body elements and
extends substantially an entire distance between the first end and
the second end. A first portion of the manually bendable sheet
metal layer forms a first bendable region between the first rigid
body element and the second rigid body element, a second portion of
the manually bendable sheet metal layer forms a second bendable
region between the second rigid body element and the third rigid
body element, and a third portion of the manually bendable sheet
metal layer extends beyond the first rigid body element to form a
bendable support platform region proximate to the first end.
[0012] In certain embodiments, the manually bendable sheet metal
layer includes sheet steel of a first thickness, the plurality of
rigid body elements includes sheet steel of a second thickness, and
the second thickness is greater than the first thickness. In
certain embodiments, the manually bendable sheet metal layer is
affixed to the plurality of rigid body elements by adhering,
brazing, or welding. In certain embodiments, a repositionable stand
as described herein further includes a first covering material and
a second covering material, wherein a combination of the manually
bendable sheet metal layer and the plurality of rigid body elements
is arranged between the first covering material and the second
covering material. In certain embodiments, the first covering
material and the second covering material are each independently
selected from the group consisting of leather, rubber, woven
fabric, and non-woven fabric. In certain embodiments, the first
rigid body element and the second rigid body element are separated
by a first gap; the second rigid body element and the third rigid
body element are separated by a second gap; and padding material is
provided within the first gap between the first covering material
and the second covering material, and is provided within the second
gap between the first covering material and the second covering
material. In certain embodiments, the padding material includes a
thickness that is substantially the same as a thickness of the
plurality of rigid body elements. In certain embodiments, the
bendable support platform region includes a first peripheral region
and a second peripheral region separated by a medial gap proximate
to the first end. In certain embodiments, the second rigid body
element defines an aperture, and the manually bendable sheet metal
layer defines an aperture that is registered with the aperture
defined by the second rigid body element. Corresponding apertures
registered with the foregoing apertures may also be defined in the
covering material layers, with the resulting aperture defined
through the entire stand being sized and shaped to permit passage
of at least one charging and/or communication cable to be connected
to a portable electronic device supported by the stand.
[0013] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to methods
of making and using a repositionable stand for a portable
electronic device as described herein.
[0014] In additional aspects, any two or more of the foregoing
aspects and/or any features or embodiments described herein may be
combined for additional advantage.
[0015] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the
present disclosure and realize additional aspects thereof after
reading the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments in association with the accompanying drawing
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustration of a
repositionable stand for a portable electronic device according to
one embodiment, with the repositionable stand in a flat position
and including superimposed transverse lines identifying boundaries
between rigid regions and bendable regions.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustration of the
repositionable stand with the superimposed transverse lines of FIG.
1, with the repositionable stand in a first upright bent
position.
[0018] FIG. 3A is a perspective view illustration of the
repositionable stand of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to one embodiment,
with the repositionable stand in a second, low upright bent
position.
[0019] FIG. 3B is a perspective view illustration of the
repositionable stand of FIG. 3A in the second, low upright bent
position, and with the repositionable stand supporting a portable
electronic device represented in dashed lines.
[0020] FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate top plan view illustrations of five
constituent layers of a repositionable stand for a portable
electronic device according to one embodiment, in which FIG. 4A
illustrates a first (e.g., outer) covering layer, FIG. 4B
illustrates a bendable material layer, FIG. 4C illustrates rigid
body elements of a rigid body layer, FIG. 4D illustrates padding
sections of a padding material layer, and FIG. 4E illustrates a
second (e.g., inner) covering layer.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective assembly view illustration of five
constituent layers of a repositionable stand for a portable
electronic device according to one embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 6A is a side elevation view illustration of the
repositionable stand of FIGS. 3A and 3B in the second, low upright
bent position and supporting a portable electronic device.
[0023] FIG. 6B is a side elevation view illustration of the
repositionable stand of FIG. 6A in the first upright bent position
of FIG. 2 and supporting a portable electronic device.
[0024] FIG. 6C is a side elevation view illustration of the
repositionable stand according to one embodiment in a range of
three different positions supporting a portable electronic
device.
[0025] FIG. 7A is a rear perspective view illustration of a
repositionable stand according to one embodiment in the first
upright bent position of FIG. 2 and supporting a portable
electronic device.
[0026] FIG. 7B is a front perspective view illustration of the
repositionable stand and portable electronic device shown in FIG.
7A.
[0027] FIG. 8A is a side elevation view illustration of a
repositionable stand according to one embodiment in a third
position and supporting a portable electronic device.
[0028] FIG. 8B is a side elevation view illustration of the
repositionable stand and portable electronic device of FIG. 8A,
with the repositionable stand being supported along an upper edge
of a liquid crystal display monitor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The present disclosure relates to a repositionable stand for
a portable electronic device including at least one manually
bendable layer material (e.g., sheet metal such as sheet steel)
forming bendable regions extending between multiple rigid body
elements, and including a support platform region proximate to one
end. Presence of bendable regions permits the stand to be arranged
in a variety of positions without the use of pivotable hinges. A
support platform region is intended to support a lower edge of a
portable electronic device when present within the repositionable
stand. In certain embodiments, the support platform region is
bendable, suitable for securely receiving portable electronic
devices of various thicknesses, and preferably includes a forked
end including peripheral regions separated by a medial gap to
permit a portable electronic device to be connected to a charging
cable while supported by the stand. In certain embodiments,
surfaces of the repositionable stand may be covered with covering
materials, such as leather, rubber, woven fabric, or non-woven
fabric. In certain embodiments, opposing surfaces of the
repositionable stand may be covered with covering materials that
differ from one another.
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a repositionable stand 10 for a portable
electronic device according to one embodiment, with the
repositionable stand 10 in a flat position and including five
superimposed transverse lines A-E identifying boundaries between
first through third rigid regions 21-23 and first through third
manually bendable regions 31-33. The transverse lines A-E are
provided for explanatory purposes only and may preferably be
omitted from the repositionable stand 10. The repositionable stand
10 includes a first end 11 and a second end 12. Each manually
bendable region 31-33 preferably includes at least one manually
bendable layer material, e.g., a manually bendable sheet metal
layer such as (but not limited to) twenty-four gauge sheet steel.
Each rigid region 21-23 preferably includes a rigid body element
that is substantially more rigid than each manually bendable region
31-33. In certain embodiments, each rigid region 21-23 includes a
rigid body element, such as may include sheet metal (e.g., sheet
steel) having a thickness that is substantially greater than a
thickness of sheet metal of each manually bendable layer material.
The rigid regions 21-23, which each include a rigid body element,
are spatially segregated from one another (e.g., separated by
manually bendable regions 31, 32) and sequentially arranged between
the first end 11 and the second end 12.
[0031] One manually bendable region 33 proximate to the first end
11 includes a first peripheral region 35 and a second peripheral
region 36 that are separated by a medial gap 39 that is configured
to permit passage of at least one connector and/or cable to enable
communication with and/or charging of a portable electronic device
when such a device is supported by the repositionable stand 10. The
manually bendable region 33 proximate to the first end 11 extends
beyond a rigid body element of the first rigid region 21, and
embodies a bendable support platform region 33. A central portion
of the repositionable stand 10 defines an aperture 24 that is also
sized and shaped to permit passage of at least one charging and/or
communication cable to be connected to a portable electronic device
when such a device is supported by the repositionable stand 10.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustration of the
repositionable stand 10 and superimposed transverse lines A-E of
FIG. 1, with the repositionable stand 10 in a first upright bent
position, with the first and second manually bendable regions 31,
32 each having an acute bend angle of approximately sixty degrees,
and with the bendable support platform region 33 including a single
bend causing the bendable support platform region 33 to extend
approximately ninety degrees outward relative to the first rigid
region 21. In this configuration, a portable electronic device (not
shown) may be supported from below by the bendable support platform
region 33, and supported from behind by the first rigid region 21,
while at least one communication and/or charging cord extends
through the aperture 24 and the medial gap 39 to connect to a
bottom edge of the portable electronic device.
[0033] In an alternative embodiment similar to the apparatus of
FIG. 2, the support platform 33 may be non-bendable and permanently
fixed in a position including at least one bend causing the support
platform 33 to extend outward relative to the first rigid region
21. In certain embodiments, such a non-bendable support platform 33
may be an extension of the first rigid region 21. In certain
embodiments, a non-bendable support platform 33 may include a
single bend causing substantially an entire surface of the support
platform 33 to extend outward in an approximately perpendicular
direction relative to a face of the first rigid region 21. In other
embodiments, a non-bendable support platform 33 may include a first
bend causing an intermediate segment of the support platform 33
extend outward in an approximately perpendicular direction relative
to a face of the first rigid region 21, and may include a second
bend causing a tip segment of the support platform 33 to extend in
a direction approximately parallel to a face of the first rigid
region 21.
[0034] FIG. 3A illustrates a repositionable stand 10 for a portable
electronic device according to one embodiment, with the
repositionable stand 10 in a second, low upright bent position.
Relative to the first upright position shown in FIG. 2, the second,
low upright bent position includes the second manually bendable
region 32 positioned with a smaller acute angle between the second
and third rigid regions 22, 23, and includes the first manually
bendable region 31 positioned with an obtuse angle between the
first and second rigid regions 21, 22. Additionally, the bendable
support platform region 33 is positioned with a first bend
extending approximately ninety degrees outward from the first rigid
region 21, and with a second bend to cause tip segments 37, 38 to
extend substantially parallel to a surface of the first rigid
region 21. Arranging the bendable support platform region 33 with
first and second bends as illustrated in FIG. 3A permits the
bendable support platform region 33 to cradle a lower edge and a
portion of a front surface of a portable electronic device, thereby
providing more secure engagement between the repositionable stand
10 and a portable electronic device while accommodating portable
electronic devices of various thicknesses.
[0035] FIG. 3B is a perspective view illustration of the
repositionable stand of FIG. 3A in the second, low upright bent
position, and with the repositionable stand supporting a portable
electronic device 100 represented in dashed lines. The portable
electronic device 100 is supported from below by the bendable
support platform region 33 with tip segments 37, 38 contacting a
front surface of the portable electronic device 100. The portable
electronic device 100 is supported from behind by the first rigid
region 21. A charging and/or communication cable 102 is arranged to
extend through the aperture 24 and the medial gap 39 to terminate
at a plug 101 connected to a lower edge of the portable electronic
device 100. The third rigid region 23 is horizontally arranged to
be supported by an underlying surface, such as a table or desk.
[0036] FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate top plan view illustrations of five
constituent layers of a repositionable stand for a portable
electronic device according to one embodiment. FIG. 4A illustrates
a first (e.g., inner) covering layer 40 having a generally
elongated rectangular shape (with a length substantially greater
than a width, and with a width that is preferably substantially
constant over the entire length), defining a central aperture 44
and defining a medial gap 49 at one end. Stitching 43 is optionally
provided proximate to an outer peripheral edge of the first
covering layer 40, and proximate to the central aperture 44. FIG.
4E illustrates a second (e.g., outer) covering layer 80 that is
substantially identical in size and shape to the first covering
layer 40. The second covering layer 80 has a generally elongated
rectangular shape, defines a central aperture 84, and defines a
medial gap 89 at one end. Stitching 83 is optionally provided
proximate to an outer peripheral edge of the second covering layer
80, and proximate to the central aperture 84. If provided, the
stitching 43 shown in FIG. 4A and the stitching 83 shown in FIG. 4E
extend through both the first and second covering layers 40, 80 to
join them together, such that the stitching 43 corresponds to the
stitching 83. In certain embodiments, the first covering layer 40
and the second covering layer 80 are each independently selected
from the group consisting of leather, rubber, woven fabric, and
non-woven fabric. Wool felt may be used in certain embodiments. In
certain embodiments, different covering layers of the same
repositionable stand include different materials, such as leather
for one covering layer, and wool felt for another covering
layer.
[0037] FIG. 4B illustrates a manually bendable layer material 50
having a generally elongated rectangular shape, defining a central
aperture 54, and defining a medial gap 59 at one end. In certain
embodiments, the manually bendable layer material 50 may include
sheet metal, such as (but not limited to) twenty-four gauge sheet
steel. The manually bendable layer material 50 is preferably
affixed (e.g., via adhesive bonding, welding, brazing, or the like)
to and spans between the spatially separated rigid body elements
61-63 shown in FIG. 4C, thereby forming manually bendable regions
between the respective rigid body elements. As shown in FIG. 4B,
the manually bendable layer material 50 may include a unitary piece
of material extending substantially an entire length of a
repositionable stand.
[0038] In alternative embodiments, a manually bendable layer
material may be provided in multiple discontinuous bendable layer
material segments, such as a first manually bendable layer material
segment extending between one pair of rigid body elements to form a
first manually bendable region, a second manually bendable layer
material segment extending between one pair of rigid body elements
to form a second manually bendable region, and a third manually
bendable segment extending beyond one rigid body element to form a
manually bendable support platform region proximate to an end of a
repositionable stand.
[0039] FIG. 4C illustrates rigid body elements 61-63 of a rigid
body layer. The rigid body elements 61-63 are spatially separated
from one another and are sequentially arranged along a lengthwise
direction of the repositionable stand. A second (center) rigid body
element 62 defines a central aperture 64 that is arranged to be
registered with apertures 44, 54, and 84 as described previously.
In certain embodiments, each rigid body element 61-63 comprises
sheet metal (e.g., sheet steel) of a second thickness, a manually
bendable layer material comprises sheet metal (e.g., sheet steel)
of a first thickness, and the second thickness is greater than the
first thickness. In certain embodiments, each rigid body element
61-63 comprises fourteen gauge (0.074 inch/0.188 cm) sheet steel,
and the manually bendable layer material 50 comprises twenty-four
gauge (0.024 inch/0.061 cm) thickness) sheet steel. In certain
embodiments, each rigid body element comprises a thickness at least
about 2 times greater, 3 times greater, 4 times greater, or 5 times
greater than a thickness of the manually bendable layer
material.
[0040] FIG. 4D illustrates padding sections 71-73 of a padding
material layer. In certain embodiments, the padding comprises foam
with adhesive on top and bottom. In certain embodiments, each
padding section 71-73 has a thickness that is substantially equal
to a thickness of the rigid body elements 61-63. Preferably, a
first padding section 71 is sized and shaped to fit between the
first and second rigid body elements 61, 62, and a second padding
section 72 is sized and shaped to fit between the second and third
rigid body elements 62, 63. The third padding section 73 defines a
medial gap 79 that is arranged to be registered with corresponding
medial gaps 49, 59, and 89 defined in the above-described layers
40, 50, 80.
[0041] FIG. 5 is a perspective assembly view illustration of five
constituent layers of a repositionable stand for a portable
electronic device according to one embodiment. Starting at the
bottom, a first (inner) covering layer 40 is arranged proximate to
a manually bendable layer material 50. The manually bendable layer
material 50 is configured to be affixed (e.g., via adhesion) to
padding sections 71-73 and rigid body elements 61-63. A second
(outer) covering layer 80 is arranged to contact the padding
sections 71-73 and rigid body elements 61-63. Optional stitching 83
arranged along peripheral edges of the repositionable stand may
join the first and second covering layers 40, 80, with the covering
layers 40, 80 preferably being slightly larger than the interior
layers to enable peripheral edge portions of the respective
covering layers 40, 80 to be stitched to one another. In certain
embodiments, stitching 83 may be omitted, with the covering layers
40, 80 being bonded to interior layers and/or one another via
adhesives or other conventional means.
[0042] Although not shown in FIGS. 4A-4E or FIG. 5, in certain
embodiments, one or more smoothing layers may be provided between
the second (outer) covering layer 80 and the combination of the
padding sections 71-73 and the rigid body elements 61-63. In
certain embodiments, one or more smoothing layers may include foam
or foam rubber materials. The purpose of such smoothing layer(s) is
to reduce the appearance through the second covering layer 80 of
transitions between the padding sections 71-73 and the rigid body
elements 61-63.
[0043] FIG. 6A is a side elevation view illustration of a
repositionable stand 10 according to one embodiment in a second,
low upright bent position and supporting a portable electronic
device 100. The repositionable stand 10 includes a first end 11, a
second end 12, three rigid regions 21-23, and three manually
bendable regions 31-33 (with one embodying a bendable support
platform region 33).
[0044] FIG. 6B is a side elevation view illustration of the
repositionable stand 10 of FIG. 6A in a first upright bent position
and supporting a portable electronic device 100. The repositionable
stand 10 may be fabricated utilizing layers as described previously
in connection with FIGS. 4A-5. FIG. 6C is a side elevation view
illustration of the repositionable stand 10 of FIGS. 6A-6B in a
range of three different positions supporting a portable electronic
device 100. The manually bendable regions 31-33 are subject to
being bent and repositioned with manual manipulation by a user, by
simply grasping the repositionable stand 10 and applying
appropriate pressure or tension. Presence of the rigid regions
21-23 eliminates the possibility of bending at locations other than
the manually bendable regions 31-33, thereby avoiding potential
twisting of the entire repositionable stand 10 by a user.
[0045] FIG. 7A is a rear perspective view illustration of a
repositionable stand 10 according to one embodiment in a first
upright bent position and supporting a portable electronic device
100. FIG. 7B is a front perspective view illustration of the
repositionable stand 10 and portable electronic device 100 shown in
FIG. 7A. As shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, the first and second manually
bendable regions 31, 32 each have acute bend angles of
approximately sixty degrees, and the bendable support platform
region 33 includes a single bend causing the bendable support
platform region 33 to extend approximately ninety degrees outward
relative to the first rigid region 21. The portable electronic
device 100 is supported from below by the bendable support platform
region 33, and is supported from behind by the first rigid region
21, while at least one charging and/or communication cable 102
extends through the aperture 24 and the medial gap 39 to terminate
at a plug 101 that is connected to a socket along a bottom edge of
the portable electronic device 100. As shown in FIG. 7A, an outer
surface of the repositionable stand 10 may be covered with a first
covering material (e.g., leather, rubber, neoprene, smooth fabric),
while an inner surface of the repositionable stand 10 may be
covered with a second covering material (e.g., wool felt or other
fabric) that differs from the first covering material. Preferably
the inner surface of the repositionable stand may include a soft
and/or absorbent material to provide beneficial tactile feel to the
user and/or prevent slippage by the user when the user grasps an
inner surface of the repositionable stand 10.
[0046] FIG. 8A is a side elevation view illustration of a
repositionable stand 10 according to one embodiment in a third
position and supporting a portable electronic device 100. The
repositionable stand 10 includes a first end 11, a second end 12,
three rigid regions 21-23, and three manually bendable regions
31-33 (with one embodying a bendable support platform region 33).
FIG. 8B is a side elevation view illustration of the repositionable
stand 10 and portable electronic device 100 of FIG. 8A, with an
inner surface along the first manually bendable region 31 of the
repositionable stand 10 being supported along an upper edge 111 of
a liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor 110 having an associated
monitor stand 112. In this manner, the repositionable stand 10 may
be manipulated by a user to suspend a portable electronic device
100 from a LCD monitor 110, or to support a portable electronic
device 100 in an upright position above an underlying surface.
[0047] Upon reading the following description in light of the
accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will
understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize
applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein.
Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and
modifications to the preferred embodiments of the present
disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered
within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims
that follow.
* * * * *